The one hour and 45 minute flight on Sept. 15, 1969, was a milestone in bringing Cessna’s first business jet to market. The plane was certified in September 1971 and deliveries began in January 1972.

Cessna originally called the plane the Fanjet 500. But days before the first flight, Cessna changed its name to the Citation, a name to evoke the combination of abilities that propelled the thoroughbred racehorse by the same name to win the Triple Crown in 1948, the company said.